Everyone thought so.
Including Deng Kai, he was already saying goodbye to his teammates in the echelon, preparing to be transferred to U19 by Triguera to play for a month, then go to U21, and then go to the reserve team.
Basically, he could play in the first team in the second half of next year or the year after.
He believed that he and Cristiano Ronaldo had this ability.
Before he left, he gave a lot of instructions to Wu Xudong and the other "China Gang" players, asking them to keep training, use their brains to think about tactics, develop their own characteristics, and turn their strengths into absolute advantages. Don't start as role players.
He set his sights on becoming a superstar directly, etc.
However, it was the fourth day of the winter transfer window.
Sporting Lisbon officially announced that Giuseppe Materazzi, the famous coach who had coached wealthy clubs such as Lazio, had accepted the team's invitation to become the head coach.
For a moment, the fans cheered.
Even if some senior fans knew it should have been Triguera's turn.
But with the blessing of a famous coach, what could the club's old guard say?
What's more, Triguera had a huge disadvantage — he had never coached a first team. He was previously a youth training coach.
Just because you can develop talents like Simão and Quaresma doesn't mean you are suitable for the first team.
The rhythm of youth training teams and professional teams is completely different.
This official announcement also made Triguera completely give up on the team's top management.
In the eyes of that group of people, connections were more important than ability.
They would rather trust two strangers in a row than trust someone they knew well and who was capable.
The book "The Stand" could be said to be the biggest takeaway from Triguera's situation.
Later, Triguera contacted Deng Kai.
The first thing he said was: "Kai, would you like to play football with me?"
At this moment, time seemed to return to a year and a half ago.
The phrase "Coach, I want to play football" still rang in his ears.
This time, Deng Kai didn't hesitate at all. He said that Triguera had made the right bet.
From now on, it was Triguera's harvest season!
"Coach, I am willing to play football with you," Deng Kai said.
Triguera was a little moved. He thought Deng Kai would refuse. He even blamed himself — what if this ruined Deng Kai's future?
"The place I'm going to is not a good one," Triguera said honestly. "Portuguese Liga, Moreirense."
Deng Kai replied in a relaxed tone: "Returning to the Primeira Liga will only take half a season."
Triguera added: "We are tied for last place in the league with two other teams. We may have to stay in the Portuguese Liga for one or two more seasons."
Deng Kai's tone changed slightly: "Then our time in the Primeira Liga… will still only be half a season, right?"
Triguera was stunned.
"Don't worry, boss. Apart from physical confrontation, Cristiano Ronaldo and I are already at the level of professional players, and we are even better in many aspects. I believe we can bring something different to Moreirense," Deng Kai said, trying to comfort Triguera.
"But you are not even fifteen years old yet!" Triguera said. "Players at this stage are still developing physically. Excessive physical confrontation won't do you any good except increase the risk of injury."
Deng Kai said: "Cristiano Ronaldo and I are different from other players — you can definitely see that. Honestly, I really can't stand continuing in youth football anymore. If I can't go to the first team next season, I will take the initiative to request a loan."
"The intensity of youth matches can no longer help us improve. We've already completed everything we should at this stage. You can also clearly see Quaresma's performance this season. His skills are indeed excellent, but his ability to handle the ball under high-intensity pressing and physical confrontation is obviously much weaker."
"Only players who can withstand high pressure can become superstars. The Portuguese Liga may not be extremely intense, but it's a high-pressure environment for Ronaldo and me. I believe we will improve a lot there and truly step into professional football."
"Well… I hope I won't let you down, and I hope we can create miracles in the Portuguese Liga," Triguera said, half joking. He didn't really think the team could turn things around in the second half of the season.
Then the two hung up.
"Dear? What's wrong?" After Triguera's wife learned about the head coach decision at Sporting Lisbon, she rushed back immediately. She knew her husband must be feeling terrible.
"It's nothing. A friend said he supports me," Triguera said, quickly wiping his tears before turning around.
"Then he's a rare friend. Not many people would still stand by you at a time like this," his wife said as she hugged him.
"Yes… he's very special," Triguera smiled.
He was a man of great ability, but also someone who loved to gamble.
Between being a youth coach and a head coach, he chose youth development, believing it could produce superstars and solve Portugal's problem from the ground up.
But he was wrong.
People don't value youth coaches.
Head coaches will always have higher status.
And among head coaches, those who win trophies are valued more than those who build systems.
This is a results-driven world.
But Triguera had a premonition. Discovering and trusting Deng Kai unconditionally might be the best gamble he had ever made.
…
On the other side, Deng Kai informed Cristiano Ronaldo about the situation.
Originally, Triguera wanted to tell Ronaldo in person out of respect.
But Deng Kai said it wasn't necessary — tricking him would work better.
Deng Kai said: "Ronaldo, to be honest, the U17 league is a bit boring. I can even win both the top scorer and assist titles. Do you think you can surpass me in the second half of the season?"
Cristiano Ronaldo frowned: "I only played half a season, and you played the whole season. How can I catch up?"
Deng Kai said: "That shouldn't be a problem. Based on the gap between us, even if you play less than half a season, your stats shouldn't be worse than mine."
Cristiano Ronaldo said confidently: "Of course!"
But deep down, he was a bit uneasy.
In terms of goals, he was confident he could surpass Deng Kai.
But assists… that wasn't really his thing.
And Deng Kai controlled the ball most of the time. If Kai didn't pass to him, scoring would be harder… No, no, staying in U17 was definitely a bad idea.
Deng Kai continued: "By the way, I heard Triguera is going to coach Moreirense in the Portuguese Liga and wants to loan a few players."
"The environment there is actually quite suitable for players like us. The players aren't extremely talented, but they are very professional. The pace isn't too fast, but the physicality is strong. I heard the current top scorer only has twelve goals."
"When the competition gets tougher later, the Golden Boot might not even reach twenty goals."
Cristiano Ronaldo's eyes lit up: "We should go! Win the Golden Boot—no, play professional football!"
Deng Kai shook his head: "That's just the Portuguese Liga. Isn't the starting point too low? I'm fine with it, but I always thought you were the kind of genius who could dominate the Primeira Liga at a young age. Sending you to the second division feels like burying your talent."
Cristiano Ronaldo didn't care: "It's just a loan. If we perform well, we can return and join the first team next year."
"Is that really your ambition?" Deng Kai suddenly became serious. "If you just want to have fun and avoid responsibility, then I won't let Triguera take you."
"If I go, I only have one goal — to lead them to promotion!"
Cristiano Ronaldo was stunned.
Why did this suddenly become so serious?
"Kai, you know that as long as I step onto the pitch, my goals are always victory and scoring. I take football 100% seriously," Ronaldo said. "I want to go to Moreirense, and I want you to come with me. I just don't want you to feel pressured."
Deng Kai looked at him and asked: "Then why are you going?"
Cristiano Ronaldo nodded firmly: "I'm going… to take them to the top division!"
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